Tuesday, September 05, 2006

The Zen of Chain Piecing

Oh, how I love to chain piece! I can sit at the machine and do that for hours!!! Doesn't take much to entertain me, huh? I am really loving having the scraps cut into usable shapes and could not wait to start using some of my 2" squares. Don't know how Blogger will land these photos but here's what they are: little drawers of 2" squares (hasn't made a dent in the basement bags of odd sized fabric scraps LOL), the actual block of Arkansas Crossroads (sure wouldn't have guessed that this block turns into this quilt!) and four-patches and cross-parts up on the wall. Such fun. I could just pull randomly little squares and chain piece the four-patches. Then I used 3 1/2" squares with little 2" squares stitched diagonally at opposite corners. Press, square up--tada! Okay, this has been more avoidance behavior. I REALLY need to be adding borders to two quilts. I think my least favorite quilting activity is adding borders. Such LONG pieces, for Pete's sake. However, today I really MUST make myself do that. Then I can get back to playing with my scraps. By the way, working title for this quilt is Scrapbag Explosion. I really like random and scrappy!

Wheee - that looks like a fun quilt! I love to chain piece too - and like you - avoid borders!!! I have been appliquing with persnickery metallic thread rather than adding borders to a top that is soooo close to being finished. OK, I will keep you company the next 2 days and let's see if we can't get a border onto something together!

I love the idea of the Zen of chain piecing...you are so right! There is nothing better than sitting down to the machine and chain piecing zillions of scraps together and coming up with a wonderful end result. The ultimate therapy!

I like your colorful Scrapbag Explosion and don't blame you for wanting to work on it over doing borders.I have the exact same plastic drawers only mine are filled with all different size strips. They are good drawers for organizing those cut scraps.

It does look wonderfully scrappy and it's fun besides..*VBS*I absolutely would NOT have guessed that was the block..quite amazing!I love the mindless sewing of chain piecing too, and making up the 4 patch parts as well..LOLI'm easily pleased..*S*

Nice quilt, I'll have to check in to the little drawers. I've been thinking about some on wheels. Maybe just the small ones for on the counter would work better for me. I wish my small scraps where that organized. And yes I would rather chain sew smaller pieces, over long sashes.

Hi Vera, I love your scrappy quilt. Were getting ready to finish the basement for my sewing room so I'm packing all my sewing stuff and fabric stash up right now I have a feeling I am going to be going thru withdrawls...Hope you have a great weekend.Hugs Tina